Installation for non-destructive testing, by immersion ultrasounds, of workpieces

Abstract

To test transverse flanges terminating at a cylindrical wall of a workpiece, an installation includes a structure in a form of a U-shaped or C-shaped stirrup whose opposite branches carry respectively an ultrasound emitter transducer and receiver transducer, aligned with respect to one another, while leaving between them an internal space for relative passage of the flange to be tested, and whose base is mounted articulated at an extremity of a mobile control arm. The installation also includes an immersion canister including two parts assembled together by a closure mechanism, one of the parts exhibiting cutouts for engaging the transverse flange and for overlapping, with the other part, the flange up to the cylindrical wall of the workpiece.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An installation for an ultrasonic immersion testing of a tubular part including a cylindrical wall terminated by a transverse end flange projecting from the cylindrical wall via a connecting region having an inner radius on a flange side which is smaller than an outer radius opposed thereto, the installation comprising:
 emitter and receiver transducers in contact with a coupling liquid for emitting and for receiving ultrasounds, respectively, and configured to be arranged and aligned respectively on either side of the flange to be tested; 
 a structure in a form of a U shaped or C shaped stirrup, wherein ends of opposing branches of the stirrup respectively bear the emitter transducer and the receiver transducer aligned with respect to each other along an axis perpendicular to the branches so as to present an internal space through which the flange to be tested can pass without touching the stirrup, and wherein a base is mounted in an articulated manner at an end of a moveable control arm; and 
 an immersion container inside which is arranged the stirrup shaped structure bearing the emitter and receiver transducers and which includes a liquid for coupling the emitter and receiver transducers to one another, wherein the container is shaped to be arranged over the flange to be tested and includes first and second portions configured to engage and straddle, with sealing, the transverse flange and the cylindrical wall of the tubular part. 
 
     
     
       2. The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the emitter and receiver transducers are adjustably mounted to the respective opposing branches so as to adjust separation between the emitter and receiver transducers. 
     
     
       3. The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the immersion container straddles the flange with sealing as far as the cylindrical wall and can be moved relative to the tubular part to test an entire periphery of the flange. 
     
     
       4. The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the immersion container is immobile with respect to the tubular part which can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the tubular part, the immersion container including rolling members configured to engage with a transverse outer face of the flange. 
     
     
       5. The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the immersion container are joined together using a closing mechanism, the first portion including cutouts for engaging the transverse flange and for straddling, with the second portion, the flange as far as the cylindrical wall of the tubular part, seals being provided between the joined together portions and the tubular part. 
     
     
       6. The installation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a rotating plate rotates the tubular part. 
     
     
       7. The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein two structures in a form of stirrups including emitter transducers and receiver transducers and respective controllable arms are provided to be able to test, simultaneously, two transverse end flanges of the tubular part, the two structures being arranged in respective immersion containers including the liquid for coupling of the emitter and receiver transducers and shaped to be disposed on respective transverse flanges. 
     
     
       8. The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the moveable control arm articulates the structure such that the stirrup pivots so as to follow a profile of the flange, the connecting region, and the cylindrical wall, the axis being parallel to the cylindrical wall in a first position of the stirrup, the axis passing through the connecting region in a second position of the stirrup, and the axis being perpendicular to the cylindrical wall and the internal space receiving the flange in a third position of the stirrup. 
     
     
       9. The installation as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the closing mechanism includes levers.